Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS -- Putting forth one of their best efforts of the 2010 season, the IUPUI softball team put up a crooked number early and never looked back, rolling to a 9-3 win over North Dakota State in the opener of a three-game set on Friday evening at the IUPUI softball complex.

IUPUI (5-18, 2-5 Summit) slugged three home runs while using timely defense to keep North Dakota State (18-13, 3-1 Summit) at bay.  

The first of the Jags' long balls came off the bat of Alicia Hayes, as the senior gave IUPUI all the runs they would need with a three-run shot to deep right field in the bottom of the first, capping a five-run opening stanza for the Jaguars.

The bomb chased NDSU starter Whitney Johnson, forcing the Bison to go to their bullpen early and giving IUPUI starter Nicole Natter early run support.

The freshman held a powerful Bison attack at bay into the fifth inning, leaving the bases loaded in both the top of the third and top of the fourth innings; in the third, a 5-2-6 double play stymied the Bison, as Alicia Garrison's throw to the plate forced the Bison runner and Hayes's throw back to Mia Ettl gave the Jags the second out of the inning.

NDSU dented the scoreboard in the fourth with a lone run, but IUPUI responded by doubling up the Bison in the frame, capitalizing on two errors to plate two more runs, taking a 7-1 lead in the process.

A Becca Gift two-run homer in the fifth brought an end to Natter's time in the pitching circle, but the freshman recorded her first career win after Samantha Bumbaugh shut the door on the Bison, allowing just one runner in the final 2.2 innings.  Bumbaugh struck out out three of the nine batters she faced.

While Bumbaugh kept the Bison from rallying, Laura Wilcox and Mia Ettl added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, as each slugged solo homers to provide the final margin.

Ettl finished the game 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Kelsey Rupert was also 2-for-3.

The two teams will meet in a Saturday doubleheader, beginning at 11 a.m. ET at the IUPUI softball complex.